Helpful Tips to Help Cope with Survivor’s Guilt

Ask yourself who is truly responsible for the event. When you are feeling guilty, try to remind yourself who, if anyone, is actually to blame. Many times, tragedies occur due to forces out of our control. In the event of natural disasters, like earthquakes, tornadoes, and tsunamis, nothing and no one could have predicted or prepared for the event. Do not take the blame for the loss; instead, mourn those who were affected and recognize you were not responsible.

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Remind yourself that it is possible handle loss and the sadness. Everyone grieves in personal ways. Feeling grief is an important part of recovering from a loss. Focusing on guilt instead of grief may worsen emotional and psychological health over time. Not moving on is a dangerous way to deal with tragedy and can be a contributing factor to subsequent destructive behaviors.

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Think about your family and friends who love you and how they feel about your survival. Remind yourself of those who would be devastated if they lost you and how relieved and grateful those people are that you survived. Practice seeing your survival as a gift and share that gift with your loved ones.

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Do something for someone else that is impactful and significant. Guilt may be a guiding factor in improving our lives. Using guilt as a tool to honor those who were lost can create a sense of purpose and direction.

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Practice self-care. If you have survived a tragic event, you must take care of yourself, both emotionally and physically. Self-care, such as sleeping and eating well, exercise, seeking and accepting support, and asking for help are all essential to healing.

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